BMJ  2008;336:848 (19 April), doi:10.1136/bmj.39549.488692.3A

Letters

The woman question

Change in attitude is required

The first 100% of the full text of this article appears below.

McKinstry implies that the increasing proportion of women in some specialties will lead to reduced service provision as more women than men currently work flexible hours.¹ A redundant argument, given that the forthcoming requirement of a 48 hour working week will mean that all doctors will work fewer hours than is currently the case.

Rather than acknowledging that a change in attitude within the profession to training and practice is required, he suggests instead a "balanced" approach to recruitment—which in this context appears to be Orwellian double-speak for "don’t hire women."

Women in Surgery (WinS) is working to change institutional barriers to attract more women to surgery. Such activities will allow all medical specialties to take advantage of the diversity in the NHS and will highlight better working practices.

¹ Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ

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Competing interests: None declared.

1. McKinstry B. Are there too many female medical graduates? Yes. BMJ 2008;336:748. (5 April.)[Free Full Text]

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